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We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time. Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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Completed
Newsfeed > Cornelius's Profile
Cornelius's family
Cornelius
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($277 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year, my main goal is to make my house bigger. Right now, it's quite small, and I believe extending it will be really good and helpful for my family. Having more space in the house will make our living conditions better and more comfortable. I'm looking forward to achieving this goal to provide a more spacious and welcoming home for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am completely satisfied with everything about GiveDirectly, and I don't have any recommendations for changes in their programs. They have been helpful and everything is okay. The support I received from GiveDirectly has made a positive impact on my life, and I have no suggestions for improvement because I am content with the way things are.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the recent $450 I received from GiveDirectly, I made choices that aimed at securing a better future for my family. I allocated $200 towards the school fees of my two kids, one in PP1 and the other in Grade 2. I strongly believe that providing them with a good education foundation is crucial for their future success. Recognizing the local economic opportunities, I spent another $200 to purchase four bee hives. Beekeeping is a thriving activity in our area, and I anticipate that the income from the harvest will be substantial. I plan to use this money to improve and expand our small house, making it more comfortable for my family. These decisions, focused on education and economic development, reflect my commitment to securing a brighter future for my children and enhancing our living conditions.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal would be for me to accomplish my dream of furthering my studies at an advanced stage in accountancy. To achieve this, I plan on using the the money that I will get from the bee keeping farming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What impressed me the most was the freedom we had in deciding how to allocate the funds based on our individual needs, enabling us to fulfill our dreams over time. As of now, I haven't identified any areas that require improvement in the program's operation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Despite being a trained accountant and currently unemployed, I have chosen to sustain my livelihood by engaging in motorcycle taxi services. Meanwhile, my wife is pursuing her education in college. We are a married couple blessed with two children. Upon receiving our second transfer, my wife and I concurred on prioritizing the allocation of funds to pay her college tuition. This was a significant goal for us. Subsequently, I invested $15,000 in repairing my motorcycle. The remaining amount was utilized to acquire a water drum for storing clean water. I am elated by the notable achievements accomplished in a short time, which were challenging before. Hence, I am genuinely grateful for the positive changes.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($137 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The arrival of the first transfer from GiveDirectly brought me immense joy. As I was grappling with various commitments, GiveDirectly has brought me hope since I enrolled. I received the first transfer around 3:00 p.m., while I was out operating my usual motorcycle taxi. Upon receiving the message, I promptly contacted my family to share the wonderful news, and their elation mirrored my own. The following day, I journeyed to the nearby shopping center, where I collected the entirety of the amount, marking a pivotal moment in our journey.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Over the last several months, the challenge of covering my two children's primary school fees had intensified due to the sluggish performance of our income sources, including the motorcycle taxi services, which struggled to generate sufficient earnings for setting aside money toward their education costs. The assistance from GiveDirectly proved to be a pivotal factor upon its arrival, and the most significant transformation in my day-to-day life has been the profound sense of tranquility I now experience, stemming from successfully settling the outstanding tuition payments and witnessing my children's active participation in school alongside their peers. I am appreciative of the aid I have received, as it has granted me additional time to accumulate daily savings through my customary business activities.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
From the very beginning, my spouse and I were crystal clear about how we intended to utilize the transfers we expected from GiveDirectly, just as we did with the first one. As someone who earns a living as a motorcycle rider, my income hinges on providing transportation services to our local community. Although recent months had brought about increasing challenges, the moment we enrolled in GiveDirectly's program, we knew that this cash would alleviate a significant portion of our debts. We decided to allocate $100 into my spouse's account, earmarked specifically to amass funds for our two children's private primary school tuition—an expense that had consistently weighed heavily on us, particularly when the school denied them entry, necessitating their stay at home. Recognizing the urgency, I invested $50 into repairing and servicing my trusty, well-worn motorcycle, which had been my reliable companion for a considerable stretch of time. This measure not only ensured its continued functionality but also enhanced its overall efficiency. Furthermore, I allotted $35 towards purchasing essential food supplies for our family of four, using the remaining funds to procure a few sets of clothing for my children, who had been grappling with a limited wardrobe selection. The relief and gratitude I feel for this support are immeasurable, and I eagerly anticipate the possibilities that the forthcoming transfers will unfold, enabling us to accomplish even more.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving this money means completing my professional course in accounting. Due to lack of enough money I was not able to continue with my studies and since I desire to find a lucrative job I will use this transfer to enroll back to school. The total cost of completing is $600 and I am excited because Givedirectly will have an impact in my life. The rest of the transfers I shall use to build a kitchen and start up a poultry farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I purchased eighteen beehives from savings that I made last year. This has been my ambition since I completed school and I am happy that I was able to achieve it. Hopefully, I can be able to earn good amount of money from it and support my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge. I am an accountant by profession and graduated in 2019 but up until now I have not been able to secure a formal employment. I rely on motorcycle taxi business that earns $500 a day which I use to meet the basic needs of my children. I hardly save any amount for future use since it is not enough.